JPH0460669B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Claim 1: An apparatus for discharging fluid from a body cavity of a patient, comprising: a chamber for receiving the fluid; and an inlet of the chamber for connection to the body cavity, the inlet having an inlet passageway. the inlet passageway selectively includes: means for upwardly directing the fluid from the body cavity before the fluid is received in the chamber; and means for selectively directing the fluid upwardly from the path of the fluid in the inlet passageway. and means for removing, the inlet passageway being located in an inlet compartment, the inlet passageway and the inlet compartment forming an overflow passageway, the compartment having a bottom of the overflow passageway closed to the chamber. From one position the bottom of the overflow passage is opened into the chamber so that the discharged fluid passes upwardly through the inlet passage and over the walls of the overflow passage into the chamber. The device is movable to the other position in which it passes directly into the chamber via the inlet passage without passing upwardly.

2. said compartment is from said one position where the bottom of said overflow passage is sealed so that the discharged fluid passes upwardly over said wall into said chamber;
Claim: wherein the bottom of the overflow passage is open into the chamber so that the discharged fluid can be moved into the other position through the bottom of the overflow passage into the chamber without passing upwardly. The device according to item 1.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inlet compartment is rotationally movable from the one position to the other position.

4 the inlet compartment comprises a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the top of the chamber, the wall having an outwardly projecting circular flange at its bottom;
and the chamber includes an opening through the top of the chamber, and a retaining ring attached to the top and around the opening, the retaining ring having a flange projecting outward, and the flange , surrounding and overhanging a flange of the inlet compartment to retain the compartment on the top of the chamber;
4. The compartment is rotatably movable within the retaining ring to locate either the inlet passageway or the overflow passageway over the opening through the top of the chamber. equipment.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inlet compartment is slidably movable from the one position to the other position.

6 the inlet section comprises a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the top of the chamber, the wall having outwardly extending parallel flanges at the bottom of at least two opposite sides of the peripheral wall; The chamber includes an opening through the top of the chamber and parallel guide rails mounted to the top, and the flange includes one of the flanges of the compartment.
overhangs to hold the compartment on the top of the chamber, so that the compartment is movable by sliding along the rails;
6. The apparatus of claim 5 further including a stop between said rails to limit the range of movement of said compartment such that either said inlet passageway or said overflow passageway is disposed over said opening.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the inlet compartment is movable without interrupting the supply of ejected liquid to the chamber.

8. The chamber has a first inlet portion arranged to supply the fluid to the inlet passageway and a second inlet portion arranged to bypass the inlet passageway and flow the fluid directly into the chamber. and the selectively removing means includes means for switching the flow of ejected fluid from the first inlet to the second inlet and vice versa. An apparatus according to claim 1.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said selective removal means operates without interrupting the supply of ejected fluid to said chamber.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising sampling access means for collecting expelled fluid from the inlet passageway.

11 further comprising an outlet to the chamber, the outlet including a one-way valve that allows air to escape from the chamber, but prevents air from entering the chamber through the outlet. The device according to paragraph 1.

12. The outlet of claim 1, wherein the outlet includes means for connecting to a source of suction and means for limiting the level of suction provided to the chamber by opening the outlet to atmosphere. The device according to item 11.

13. A device for collecting fluid drained from a body cavity of a patient, comprising a chamber for receiving and collecting the fluid drained from the patient, the chamber having an inlet for connection to the body cavity. the chamber also includes an opening between the interior of the chamber and the atmosphere; the inlet section includes an inlet passageway disposed within an inlet compartment; the inlet passageway and the inlet compartment define an overflow passageway; forming the compartment, from one position where the bottom of the overflow passageway is closed to the chamber so that the discharged fluid passes up the inlet passageway and over the walls of the overflow passageway towards the chamber; the bottom of the overflow passage opens into the chamber and is movable to the other position in which the discharged fluid passes directly into the chamber via the inlet passage without passing upwardly, further comprising a gauge; , the gauge includes a flexible membrane disposed across the aperture and sealed around the aperture, the membrane being permeable to the fluid and atmosphere and sealing the aperture; A membrane deflects in response to a pressure difference between the interior of the chamber and the atmosphere, and is connected to the membrane and moves in response to the deflection of the membrane to provide a measurement of the pressure difference. A device for collecting fluid drained from a body cavity of a patient, further including an indicator.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the membrane is stretched across the aperture.

15 further comprising a dependent mounted above the chamber and movable relative to the chamber in response to deflection of the membrane, the indicator measuring the pressure difference in response to the movement of the dependent; 14. The apparatus of claim 13 for performing the following steps.

16 the dependent comprises a threaded shaft rotatably connected to the membrane and mounted above the chamber, and the indicator is engaged by the shaft and 16. The apparatus of claim 15, comprising a rotatable gear.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the shaft terminates at its end opposite the membrane and receives a tool for rotating the shaft and thereby calibrating the gauge.

18. Claim 18, further comprising an outlet section of said chamber for connection to an absorption source, said outlet section including means for opening said outlet section to atmosphere at a predetermined level of vacuum applied to said chamber. 1
The device according to item 3.

19 The exhaust means includes a seal on an opening to the atmosphere connected to the outlet, a spring displacing the seal to close the opening, and compressing the spring and thereby compressing the spring on the seal. Claim 17, comprising a screw adjustable to vary the displacing force and the degree of suction required to overcome the force to open the seal.
Apparatus described in section.

20. A device for evacuation of fluid from a body cavity of a patient, comprising a chamber for receiving the fluid and an inlet portion of the chamber for connecting to the body cavity, the inlet portion being in an inlet compartment. an inlet passageway disposed, the inlet passageway and the inlet compartment forming an overflow passageway, the compartment configured to close the bottom of the overflow passageway into the chamber so that expelled fluid is routed through the inlet passageway; The bottom of the overflow passage is opened towards the chamber from one position where the overflow passage passes upwardly on the wall surface of the overflow passage towards the chamber, so that the discharged fluid does not pass upwardly into the inlet passage. further comprising an outlet section from the chamber, the outlet section being movable to the other position passing directly into the chamber via the chamber and having an outlet for connection to a suction source, the outlet section being added to the chamber. means for limiting the level of suction; and means for suspending said chamber; and means for stabilizing said chamber on a support surface, said stabilizing means being arranged within the confines of a base at which the stand lies. an apparatus comprising a stand rotatably mounted on the base of the chamber between a first position and a second position in which the stand extends over a boundary thereof thereby stabilizing the base.

21. The invention further comprises a spring for displacing the diaphragm with respect to the tip, and means for adjusting the displacing force of the spring to adjust the vacuum level in the chamber at which the diaphragm closes the end of the tube. The device according to item 20.

22 the restriction means includes a fluid-permeable diaphragm having a first side exposed to atmosphere and a second side exposed to vacuum within the chamber; The outlet tube is connected to the second portion of the diaphragm.
terminating adjacent a side of the tube and causing said diaphragm to intermittently close an end of said tube.
The device described in item 0.

23. The device of claim 20, wherein the means for hanging is foldable relative to the chamber for storage and extendable to form a carrying handle for the chamber. .

24. Said means for hanging comprises a pair of hangers, each hanger having a central part terminating in an open key at one end and a closed key at the other end for hanging said chamber. the chamber includes a pair of stomas attached to the closed lock; the hanger has a pair of stomas that are alternately (a) nested within each other between the stomas;
or (b) sized so that they can be engaged with each other by an open lock to form a carrying handle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to drainage devices for removing fluid from the body, particularly from the thoracic cavity of the human body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Artificial drainage of excess fluid from the body is used in various medical procedures during and after surgery and as a fountain of fluid when the body is unable to dispose of such fluid naturally. This is necessary for many patients. The fluid to be drained includes
These include blood, water, and air.

Various drainage devices have been developed to drain wounds and large body cavities. These devices typically include a chamber for collecting fluid and an introduction tube for connection between the chamber and the patient. In use, fluid is expelled from the patient through the inlet tube into a collection chamber that is placed sufficiently below the patient to avoid fluid returning to the patient by the siphon. Because the chamber is below the patient, drainage can occur by gravity, or suction can be applied to the outlet from the collection chamber to more efficiently drain fluid into the chamber. It's okay.

Fluids such as blood, water, or air accumulate within the thoracic cavity due to trauma such as gunshot or stab wounds, as well as various external treatments of the chest. This accumulation of fluid in the thoracic cavity, between the lungs and the surrounding chest wall, can be fatal by interfering with breathing movements and disrupting the normal pressure changes within the thoracic cavity that support normal lung function. be. Accumulation of fluids such as blood within the thoracic cavity can impede a patient's healing and recovery.

If air continues to leak into the thoracic cavity, such as from a ruptured air blister (pulmonary bleb), pressure builds within the thoracic cavity until an inflated pneumothorax occurs. The affected lung or both lungs may then collapse and the patient will suffocate unless the air is removed from the chest cavity.

The design of drainage devices for the thoracic cavity presents special problems. To be effective, a drainage device must quickly and efficiently remove fluids and prevent their return. It is essential to have unidirectional flow, not only to isolate the patient from the atmosphere to avoid disease transmission, but also to prevent fluid, especially air, from collecting within the thoracic cavity and collapsing the lungs.

The device must also allow for the release of excess pressure caused, for example, by the patient's cough or by movement of fluid within the collection chamber used for gravity drainage, and must allow for the release of excess pressure that may be applied to the chamber. It must allow relief of excess negative pressure caused by excessive suction. If suction is used, there is a possibility that the source may fail and therefore the device should also act as a gravity drainage device as a precaution against this eventuality so that fluid can still be withdrawn from the patient. must be configured. There is also a need for an accurate suction level reading display so that the physician can easily monitor or readjust the suction level during a procedure on a patient. Furthermore, when there is a significant amount of air leaking from the lungs into the thoracic cavity, this air must be removed by the device, and the device is capable of accommodating such leaks and rapid changes in leak rate. and shall be constructed to indicate leakage to the user of the device.

In the prior art, it has been proposed that the collection chamber and the suction source, or in the case of gravity drainage, between the chamber and the atmosphere, be used to isolate the patient from the atmosphere and prevent air from returning to his lungs. Water seals are used in drainage equipment. The water seal also acts as an indicator of air leakage from the patient as air bubbles pass through the water, and the amount of bubbles gives the doctor an indication of the degree of air leakage. Also, the movement of the water level indicates the release and withdrawal of the patient. Unfortunately, such seals have not been reliable in preventing patient contamination and have been inconvenient and unreliable in use, as discussed below.

In its simplest form, such a drainage device comprises a single bottle partially filled with water to act as a water seal chamber. The bottle has an inlet tube that extends from the patient below the water level and an outlet tube that opens into the space above the water. It is a rudimentary configuration with no control of the pressure within the collection chamber or indication of that pressure. As the withdrawn material gradually fills the bottle, the resistance to drainage increases. To improve upon this design, multiple bottles were used connected between the patient and the suction source. Usually 3
Two bottles are used, the first connected to the patient as a trap to collect fluid, the second partially filled with water to form a seal, and the third extending below the surface of the bottle and By having a tube open to the atmosphere, it acts as a pressure regulator. The depth of this tube below the water surface determines the maximum suction force that can be drawn by the system. This is because if enough suction is reached from atmospheric pressure to pull air down the tube and bubble through that water, that level of suction will only increase the rate of bubbling and therefore the suction in the device. Power levels are limited. However, the separated bottle arrangement is cumbersome and cumbersome to use, and is very cumbersome to clean for reuse. Thus, a design of a single, sterilizable, and treatable drainage device was created.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,936,757 discloses such a device in the form of a treatable flexible plastic bag, which includes internal pockets that maintain a water seal and has an inlet/out tube extending into those pockets. are doing. Unfortunately, the bag contains a vent to the atmosphere, which can lead to contamination of the patient. Flexible materials are unsuitable for water seal drains. This is because vibrating the device can displace water and interfere with the use of the drain.

U.S. Patent Nos. 3,363,626, 3,363,827, no.
Nos. 3559647, 3683913 and 3853128 are
A rigid, disposable plastic drainage device is shown that has three bottle structures formed within a unitary structure. Each device in these patents includes a fluid collection chamber, a U-shaped water seal section, and a U-shaped water manometer section for suction force control. The fluid collection chamber is usually divided into three graduated compartments which, in use, fill successively as the amount of fluid withdrawn accumulates.

Drainage devices that include water seals take a relatively long time to set up. This is because the device must be primed with a volume of sterile water to create a seal and fill the U-shaped chamber. This amount of water is relatively large and usually more than one chamber must be filled. The above-mentioned U.S. Patent No. 3,363,627 is
Attempts have been made to overcome this problem by connecting multiple chambers above the chambers external to the device so that the device is pre-filled. In a similar approach, Ohio Medical
The products supplied by Products have a water-tight compartment above and outside the collection chamber and adjacent to an external reservoir of sterile sodium chloride solution, in which the sodium chloride solution is initially Used to prime a plot with water.

However, water seal systems are associated with a number of other disadvantages, some of which are discussed in each of the above-mentioned series of patents. And U.S. Patent No.
No. 3,559,647 attempts to overcome the loss of precise pressure control due to water evaporation by using an internal buffle to reduce evaporation. US Pat. No. 3,683,913 introduces a float valve within the water chamber to prevent water from being drawn back toward the patient, but this is not a sterile barrier. US Pat. No. 3,853,128 provides a one-way vent in the wall of the water seal chamber to relieve high positive pressure within the patient.

These modifications did not overcome the fundamental drawbacks of water seal systems. If the water seal device is turned over, water may spill and loss of suction or loss of the water seal may occur. The device must be reset, which is time consuming and endangers the patient. Water seals also produce noise during use due to air bubbling through the water in the pressure control chamber.

The amount of suction power that can be supplied to the water seal system is
As mentioned above, it is limited by the depth of the water within the pressure regulating chamber. The maximum suction power that can be delivered to a commercially available water seal reservoir is approximately 30 cm of water column. This is because long pressure control chambers are very difficult to handle and expensive to manufacture. This is often insufficient as suction power up to 160 cm of water column is required.

Additionally, water seal drainage devices are typically relatively heavy and bulky, which is inconvenient for hospital personnel and the patient, who often holds the device while the patient is being moved. One more
One significant drawback is the relatively complex instructions required for its use, which can lead to misunderstandings and wasted time.

In an attempt to overcome these drawbacks, several waterless devices have been developed. US Patent No.
No. 3,830,238 discloses a simple construction that does not require water and is a one-chamber device, consisting of an introductory tube with a one-way valve to prevent backflow of fluid into the patient, and an inlet tube that generally controls intrathoracic pressure. and a bellows structure to be measured. However, this device does not control or accommodate pressure fluctuations, nor does it provide an indication of the actual pressure within the chamber.

A recent device without a water seal was developed by Davol.
Manufactured under the Thoraklex trademark, it is equipped with a chamber to collect the drawn fluids, and those fluids are placed inside that chamber to hold a small amount of water to indicate an air leak in the system. It is fed into the chamber via an inlet having a U-shaped tube and an outlet which draws in through a one-way valve. A rubber plug in the wall of the U-tube provides an inlet for a syringe needle to extract liquid from the tube for analysis. The outlet path is equipped with a valve that releases positive pressure.
It is connected to the atmosphere via a one-way vent. The outlet is also connected to negative pressure control means consisting of a screw that adjustably closes the outlet path in order to adjust the degree of suction. The outlet also includes a floating ball gauge connected between the atmosphere and the outlet and adjusted to indicate the suction force applied to the patient. This device introduces excess negative pressure to a relief valve that vents to atmosphere at a preset negative pressure to prevent the vacuum from reaching too high a level. The valve is set in the path between the atmosphere and the collection chamber and includes a spring-loaded one-way valve. The action of the valve allows air from the atmosphere to enter the collection chamber, and since the collection chamber is open to the patient, it is necessary to have a filter in its path. With this construction, a rapid level of suction can be created in the collection chamber while the valve is open, and the filter is intended to prevent bacteria from entering the chamber; Nevertheless, placing a valve that opens directly into the chamber exposes the patient to the risk of disease transmission and also increases the cost of manufacturing the device. In other respects this device is an improvement over water seals and is a simple device that does not require a water seal;
It suffers from the disadvantage that the inlet U-tube can become blocked or obstructed by expelled material such as dirt or blood clots. This puts the patient at risk, so it is recommended that the introduction tube be squeezed out. Squeezing involves grasping the introduction tube with one hand, squeezing the tube with one hand, sliding that hand along the tube toward the collection chamber, and then releasing the first hand, and then It is a technique that repeats the process along the tube. This causes the suction within the tube to rapidly increase, tending to dislodge the obstructions and propel them into the collection chamber. However, this operation creates a large negative pressure within the tube, and the patient may be at risk of sudden rupture of the patient's tissue, resulting in bleeding and destabilizing the drainage procedure. Additionally, the ball gauge does not reliably directly measure suction pressure within the collection chamber, nor does it accommodate a wide range of excessive negative or positive pressures. Ball gauges become inaccurate at high suction levels or when there is air leakage from the patient.

Therefore, there is a need for a drainage system that eliminates the drawbacks of water seal systems and that functions safely and reliably. The device must be able to work under conditions of gravity drainage or vacuum drainage, and in the latter case must provide a level of suction that is stable and acceptable to the patient.
There is also a need for simple and reliable gauges in drainage devices to accurately indicate pressure conditions within the collection chamber down to the negative pressure range. Additionally, it would be desirable for a device configured to reduce the need for expression to permit sampling of current drawn fluid and to be convenient for use by patients and medical staff. Many forms of currently available drainage devices are not only inconvenient to move due to their weight, size, or lack of suitable transportation, but also difficult to securely install in a variety of locations. Can not. In these respects, some devices, such as those from Ohio Medical and Thoraklex, include a hook for hanging the drain from the bed.
The hook of the former device can be removed and clipped to the base as a floor stand, but this would require the device to be tipped over, thus breaking its water seal. There is therefore a need for the device to have convenient features, such as the ability to easily and correctly set up the device and its appropriate connections, and to allow the device to be placed on the bed or on the bed.
It should be able to be conveniently placed on the floor or on a cot, or easily moved around the patient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes these drawbacks of the prior art and provides a drainage device that is convenient and reliable for use in a variety of locations and operating conditions.

The drainage device of the invention includes a collection chamber with an inlet portion capable of selectively retaining a small amount of liquid, which liquid has been withdrawn from the patient or transferred thereto by hospital staff. It was put in. The inlet is designed to prevent this fluid and the compartment that holds it from developing a distended pneumothorax by obstructing the flow of fluid from the patient. To achieve this, the inlet can be switched from a first mode in which fluid passes through or replaces the liquid to a second mode in which it instead flows directly into the collection chamber. This design minimizes the need to squeeze out the introduction tube, thus reducing the risk of exposing the patient to excessive suction levels, yet allows extraction without the risk of not being able to release obstructions within the entry tube. It has the ability to pass the drawn fluid through the fluid in its inlet to sample the fluid drawn and to indicate leakage of air from the patient.

The device of the invention has means for directly indicating the pressure within the collection chamber and indicating the true level of suction being applied to the patient, whether or not air leaks from the patient pass through the device. ing. This pressure measuring means is easy to read, accurate and reliable even at high suction levels.

In other embodiments of the invention, the collection chamber includes features that facilitate assembly, installation, and movement of the device. The collection chamber is provided with means that serve both to suspend the collection chamber and to transport it, and which means can be stored flush with the chamber when not in use. There is also an integral means for stabilizing the chamber against tipping when erected on a supporting surface, such as a floor, without requiring time-consuming modifications to the device or the use of separate devices. It is given.

Accordingly, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a surgical device for withdrawing fluid from the body, particularly from the thoracic cavity, which includes a rigid chamber for receiving the fluid. The chamber includes an inlet for communication with the body, an outlet for connection to a source of suction when necessary, and a gauge to indicate the pressure within the chamber during use.

The gauge includes a flexible but drawn liquid and air impermeable diaphragm that is mounted within the chamber wall so as to face both the interior of the chamber and the atmosphere. The diaphragm is connected to means for indicating pressure. The pressure difference between the atmosphere and the pressure inside the chamber causes its diaphragm to deflect,
Increasing negative pressure within the chamber causes the diaphragm to bulge towards the inside of the chamber, and increasing positive or decreasing negative pressure causes it to bulge in the positive direction. This movement of the diaphragm is transmitted to an indicator means that directly indicates the operating pressure within the chamber. Usually its operating pressure is below atmospheric. This is because the device is originally intended to be connected to a suction source. Preferably, the indication is accomplished by a rotatable worm gear mounted on the diaphragm, which gear projects upwardly and engages a follower which in turn indicates the degree of pressure or suction on the dial. It is connected to an indicator for indicating.

An adjustable compensation regulator is provided at the outlet from the chamber to accommodate significant excess negative pressure and to limit the amount of suction applied to the device. This regulator is actuated by the current level of suction to release negative pressure. The regulator includes a spring loaded seal over the opening between the outlet line and the atmosphere.
The force of the spring on the seal is adjustable by means of a screw supporting the end of the spring opposite the seal. A certain level of suction force is sufficient to overcome the force of the spring, and then the seal opens to allow atmosphere to pass through the outlet, thereby releasing the suction force. To avoid contamination of the chamber and patient when the regulator is activated, communication between the outlet and the chamber is a one-way valve that allows air to exit the chamber but not enter the chamber. Depends on the means.

Other features of the invention assist in stabilizing the device during use. Means are provided for suspending the chamber, such as by hangers from the bed or rail. The hanging means are such that it not only suspends the chamber, but also can be overlapped with the outer surface of the chamber for storage and interlocked to form a handle for carrying.
It is rotatably mounted to the outer surface of the chamber. In order to stabilize the chamber when placed on the floor or a supporting surface such as a wheelbarrow, the bottom of the chamber is provided with a stand that projects outwardly from the storage location in the bottom recess. It is rotatable, thereby preventing the chamber from tipping or tipping over.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drainage device illustrating the invention, showing the device for coupling to a patient and a source of suction, and further for suspending the device or stabilizing it on a support surface; It shows the means to achieve this goal.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the device of FIG. 1, with the coupling and suspension means removed.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 2, showing the inlet portion of the device.

FIG. 4 is a partially sectional front view of another form of inlet for the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partially sectional elevational view of yet another form of inlet for the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a partially sectional elevational view of yet another form of inlet for the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 8--8 of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 2, showing the exit portion of the device of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another outlet of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative outlet for the device of FIG. 1;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In FIG. 1, side walls 2, base 3, top 4 and front and back walls 5 and 6 (FIG. 2) respectively suitable for draining fluid from the thoracic cavity.
A drainage device is shown comprising a fluid collection chamber 1 formed by. The chamber is preferably constructed from a lightweight yet rigid plastic such as polystyrene so that the device can be constructed relatively inexpensively by known molding techniques. The front wall 5 is transparent for viewing the contents of its chamber. The other walls 2, 5 and 6, the base 3 and the top 4 may be transparent or opaque. Preferably, all sides of the chamber except the front wall are opaque to shield the patient from viewing the contents and to provide a background that prevents the contents from being more easily seen. It is. The chamber is subdivided by partitions 7 between the front and back walls into compartments that communicate with each other only beyond the top of each partition 7. In use, this compartment is sequentially filled by collecting drained liquid. In Figure 1,
Three partitions 7 are shown joining the front and back walls 5 and 6 and dividing the chamber into four compartments, but fewer or more partitions 7 are shown.
may be used. 8, a scale is provided on the front wall 5 on each partition to indicate the volume of liquid collected. The chamber 1 shown in the drawing preferably has a scale 8 measuring up to a total of 2000 ml, but of course smaller or larger chambers can also be used. Along the sides of the scale, spaces are provided in the front wall 5 to mark when a certain volume has been reached. Preferably, as shown in FIG.
Smaller than other compartments that are the same size as each other.
This allows for more accurate and convenient collection of smaller or initial volumes of liquid, such as in the treatment of pediatric patients. To more accurately collect very small amounts of liquid, the floor of the first compartment may be angled upwardly as shown at 10 to reduce the volume at the bottom of the compartment. In keeping with this difference in volume between compartments, the scale on the first compartment 9 indicates a smaller volume than the scales on the other compartments. For example, the scales each extend from 2 ml up to 10 ml each, then every 5 ml up to 250 ml on the first compartment, and then every 10 ml up to 250 ml on the other compartment.
Extends to 2200ml.

Above the first compartment 9 is a switchable inlet 11 on the top 4 of the collection chamber 1 which allows the option of draining the fluid or avoiding small amounts of liquid via a small reservoir of liquid in the inlet. provided. One such inlet section 11 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. The type of inlet shown in these figures is preferred for its efficiency and ease of use. In this embodiment, the inlet part 11 is rotatable at the top 4 of the collection chamber 1 in a plane parallel to that of the top surface 4;
and its construction can be best seen in FIG. There, the inlet section 11 is connected to the top 4 of the collection chamber 1.
A wall 1 that circumferentially surrounds the outside and projects upward from the
3 and a substantially flattened top 14 across a wall 13. Second
As seen from the top of the top 4, the wall 13 and therefore the chamber 12 therein are
It has an oblate circular cross section with two opposite and parallel sides 15 and 16 to facilitate gripping the inlet portion 11 for rotation. For this purpose, oppositely facing projections 17 and 18 may also be provided, as shown in FIG. 16 extending outwardly from the center. However, if desired, the wall 13 may have a circular or elliptical cross-section. wall 13
The bottom has an outwardly projecting circular flange 19 (FIG. 3) around its periphery. Flange 1
9 is surrounded by a circular retaining ring 20 attached to the top 4 of the collection chamber 1. The retaining ring 20 also has a flange 21 which projects inwardly and above the flange 19 and which retains the inlet chamber 12 on the top 4 of the collection chamber 1 and which also allows the retaining ring 20 and its flange to 21. A seal 22 is provided between the inlet chamber 2 and the collection chamber 1 to prevent fluid from leaking to the outside of those chambers or to prevent non-sterile air from contaminating the chamber.
is located between the inlet chamber flange 19 and the top surface 4. The inlet chamber is divided into two compartments 23 and 24 by a dividing wall 25 across the diameter of chamber 12 and between sides 15 and 16. Dividing wall 25 extends upwardly from the bottom of the chamber but does not reach the top of chamber 12, thereby leaving an air space above wall 25 that is the only fluid communication between the two compartments 23 and 24. 2, since the bottom of the dividing wall 25 is sealed against the seal 22. Above one compartment 24 an inlet connector 26 and a rubber brim or sampling plug 27 extend through the top 14 of the inlet chamber 12 . Connector 26 includes a short, rigid tube whose upper end is for attachment to an introduction tube 28 as shown in FIG. The introduction tube 28 is for connection to the patient and is made of flexible natural rubber or flexible polyvinyl chloride to prevent the tube 28 from kinking at its interface with the connector 26 and to prevent fluids. An internal or, as shown in FIG. Provides some rigidity in the connector 26. The lower end of the connector 26 is connected to the compartment 24
, extending below the top of the dividing wall 25 . As fluid drains from the patient down the introduction tube 28, it is divided into compartments 24. When that compartment is filled and the height of the liquid reaches the height of the dividing wall 25, the liquid overflows over the wall 25 into the other compartment 23. Since the connector 26 extends below the top of the dividing wall 25, it also extends below the level of the liquid in the compartment 24 and forms a generally U-shaped configuration at the dividing wall 25 and the inlet chamber wall 13, as shown in FIG. forming an inlet passageway having a cross section of . This U-shaped tube configuration acts as an indicator of the patient's condition, since whenever liquid is in the U-shaped inlet passageway, there is a flow of bubbles in that direction from the connector 26 through the compartment 24. This is because it indicates air leakage from the patient. Additionally, fluid movement reflects pressure changes and openness in the patient's chest and indicates whether the patient is having difficulty breathing. The U-shaped passage is preferably sized to contain 10-15 ml of liquid and is graduated to indicate the volume of liquid therein, for example up to 10 ml in 2 ml divisions. It's okay. Instead of extending the connector 26 into the compartment 24 as before, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the U-tube extends downwardly from the top of the inlet chamber 12 and below the top of the dividing wall 25. Walls and external walls 13
in which the inlet connector 26
is between the external wall and the sub-dividing wall. Rim pad 27 is made of a rubber-like material, such as natural rubber or silicone rubber, to allow passage of the hypodermic needle (shown in phantom in Figure 3) and to keep inlet chamber 12 open to atmosphere. so that it can be derived without exposure to With the syringe, the most recently expelled liquid can be sampled at any time by withdrawing some liquid from compartment 24. When no liquid is drained and for filling the device for use, a sterile salt solution is passed through the rim 27 into the compartment 24.
into the compartment 24 in sufficient quantity to fill the bottom of the compartment 24, and so that air leakage from the patient is caused by bubbling through the liquid, as described above. can be shown.

The inlet part 11 is arranged above the top 4 of the collection chamber 1 such that one of the compartments 23 and 24 is above the hole 30 passing through the top 4 and the hole 31 passing through the seal 22. Both of these compartments open at the bottom of one of them through holes 30 and 31 and the bottom of the other compartment opens into collection chamber 1.
has a floor section as closed by the top section 4 and the seal 22. As the liquid that fills and drains while the compartment 24 is draining as described above flows over the dividing wall into the compartment 23, the liquid can flow down into the collection chamber 1 through the holes 30 and 31. Hole 30 is positioned so that it is above or nearly above the first collection compartment, so that this compartment is filled first. To ensure this, a protrusion 32 as shown in FIG. 3 is provided from the underside of the top 4 downwardly into the hole 30 in order to direct the liquid to the first collection compartment 9 (FIG. 1). It is angled.

A great advantage of the device of the invention is that the inlet part 11 can hold liquid for sampling or to indicate leakage of air from the patient, and can be drained when it is no longer needed, i.e. To address potential obstruction of the inlet caused by such things as blood clots or other debris, liquid can be removed by being transferred from the inlet to a collection chamber. Since inlet section 11 in Figure 3 is rotatable, if it is rotated 180 degrees, the positions of compartments 23 and 24 will be reversed. Therefore,
The compartment 24 is provided above the hole 30 and the liquid therein falls into the collection chamber 1. In this position, the bottom of the other compartment 23 is closed by the seal 22 and fluid from the patient is passed directly to the collection chamber 1 via the compartment 24, i.e. temporarily retained in the input passage or there. without passing liquids from the patient into the main collection chamber directly from the inlet tube to the main collection chamber.
pass. When it is desired to switch to sampling or air leakage indication mode, i.e. after clearing the inlet section from obstructions, the inlet section 1
1 is again rotated 180 degrees, thus reversing the position of compartments 23 and 24 and returning them to the position shown in FIG. The drained fluid may then first enter compartment 24 and be allowed to refill that compartment, or fresh sterile salt solution may be injected into compartment 24 to fill the "U-tube" inlet passageway. good. The inlet section 11 is configured such that the inlet cannot be blocked through rotation of the inlet.

An alternative switchable format according to the invention is shown in FIG. 4, in which the fluid in the inlet passageway can be bypassed by fluid drained from the patient. The inlet chamber 33 is defined by a transparent front wall (not shown) which is an upward extension of a portion of the transparent front wall 5 of the collection chamber 1 and a side wall 2 of the collection wall. A similar extension is defined by an outer sidewall 34 extending upwardly from the top 4 of the chamber 1, an inner sidewall 35, a rear sidewall (not shown) and a substantially planar top 36. The side walls 34 and 35 extend somewhat less than half the depth of the top 4 of the collection chamber 1. The inlet passageway, which has a generally U-shaped cross-section when viewed from the front of the device as in FIG. The inlet chamber 33 is formed by a curved trough 37 extending to leave a space 38 between the protrusion 39 of the trough 37 and the outer sidewall 34 . A dividing wall 40 projects downwardly from the underside of the top 36 of the inlet chamber 33 partially into the trough 37 and below its projection 39 and also extends between the front and rear walls of the chamber 33 . In this way, in a vertical section,
Trough 37, dividing wall 40 and inner sidewall 35 form a generally U-shaped inlet passageway. As shown in FIG. 4, the two inlet sections 41 and 42 pass through the top 36 of the inlet chamber 33 and the primary inlet section 41
is between the dividing wall 40 and the inner sidewall 35 above the inlet passageway and trough 37 and is located in the secondary inlet section 4
2 is above the space 38 between the trough 37 and the outer sidewall 34. Elongates of flexible tubes 43 and 44 are attached to inlets 41 and 42, respectively, which lead to a common joint in the formation of a diverter valve 45 to which the main drainage tube from the patient is attached. valve 4
5 can be used to direct the discharged fluid directly into the collection chamber 1 via the primary inlet section 41 and the U-tube inlet passage or via the secondary inlet section 42 and the space 38. 1
In using the secondary inlet 41, the discharged fluid passes through the liquid in the trough 37 previously discharged or located therein. This liquid seal can serve as a point for analyzing expelled liquid or as an air leak indicator, as described above. The liquid enters the top 36 of the inlet chamber 33.
It can be pulled out of or placed in the trough 37 via the rubber rim 46 at. The edge pad 46 is located between the dividing wall 40 and the secondary inlet section 42 and on the outlet arm of the U-tube inlet passageway between the protrusion 39 of the trough 37 and the dividing wall 40. The discharged fluid passes through the inlet passage, the space 38 and into the first collection compartment 9. Projection 39 of trough 37 above compartment 9
A downward projection 47 from helps direct the expelled liquid into this compartment. If it is undesirable to use the inlet passageway because it becomes an obstruction or because of air leakage or the sampling function is not required, the secondary inlet section 42 may be
It can be used by rotating the valve 45 to direct the flow of discharged fluid to its inlet rather than the primary inlet section 41. The fluid then passes directly through the space 38 to the collection compartment 9 without penetrating the liquid in the inlet passage.

Other inlets according to the invention are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
As shown in the figure, the U-tube inlet passage is rotatable in a plane parallel to the plane of the front wall 5 of the collection chamber 1 so that the inlet passage can be empty. Similar to the previously described inlets, the inlet chamber 48 is connected to the front wall 5 of the collection chamber 1.
The transparent front wall 49 (FIG. 6) is an upward extension of the collection chamber 1 (FIG. 1) and the side wall 2 of the collection chamber 1.
an outer side wall 50 extending upwardly from (FIG. 1);
Each is formed by an inner side wall 51 and a back wall 52 extending upwardly from the top 4 of the chamber 1 . As shown in Figure 5, the top 53 of the inlet chamber 48 is bent outwardly with respect to the chamber, as will be seen once there is sufficient clearance for rotation of the U-tube inlet passage. For example, a flat top can be used. side wall 50
and 51 extend somewhat less than half the depth of the top 4 of the collection chamber 1. The rear wall 52 has a circular hole 54 in which an inlet section 55 is rotatably mounted.
has. As in FIG. 5, when viewed from the front, the compartment 55 has a vertical cross section in the form of three-quarters around a circular periphery. As used in the position shown in FIG. 5, the compartment 55 has a projection 5 from which the drained liquid flows downwards into the first collection compartment 9 (FIG. 1).
Ending at the 9 o'clock clock position at 6. When in the twelve o'clock position, compartment 55 has a downwardly projecting dividing wall 57 extending below the height of projection 56 . Between these two clock positions, a continuous, curved wall 58 defines the outside of the entrance compartment 55 with front and rear walls 59 and 60, respectively. The inlet section 55 thereby includes a rear wall 60 between the dividing wall 57 and the outer wall 58.
and the outlet between the wall 57 and the projection 56 and is closed except at its inlet 61. The compartment 55 thus defines an inlet passage again having a generally U-shaped vertical cross-section, as seen in FIG. Inlet section 55 by passing through the contained liquid and forming bubbles.
It is shown in At least the front walls 49 and 59 of the inlet chamber and compartment, respectively, are transparent so that the contents of the inlet passageway can be viewed. If desired, all walls of the entrance chamber and compartment may be transparent, although the rear wall 52 of the entrance chamber is preferably opaque to obstruct viewing of the contents by the patient. As seen in FIG. 6, compartment 55 has a circular projection 62 extending through rear wall 52 of inlet chamber 48. As seen in FIG.
The protrusion 62 is dimensioned to fit snugly in the aperture 54 of the rear wall 52 and terminate the outer inlet chamber 48 at a flange 63 that overlaps and engages the outer surface of the rear wall 52. Hole 5
4 is smaller than the rear wall 60 and flange 63 of the compartment 55 so that the compartment can be rotated within the hole 54 and held there. To facilitate this and to seal the hole 54 from the atmosphere, an annular washer 64 of a suitably resilient material is provided between the rear wall 60 of the compartment 55 and the rear wall 52 of the inlet chamber 48. installed between. An inlet 61 to the compartment 55 passes through the projection 62 as a tubular conduit 65 before rotating through a right-angled elbow 66 to continue upwardly from the patient to receive a flexible introduction tube 67. .
A rubber brim 68 or sampling plug is provided at the elbow 66 facing the inlet 61 to enable the injection needle to supply liquid to or withdraw liquid from the compartment 55, as described above.
into the compartment 55 through the wall of the. In use, drained fluid from the patient passes under the inlet tube 67 and into the compartment 55 via the conduit 65.
and passes through a U-tube inlet passageway before flowing out of protrusion 56 and downward into the collection chamber. When it is desired to remove an obstruction from compartment 55 or replace the liquid therein, compartment 55 is rotated counterclockwise, as viewed from the front of the device, to the position shown in perspective in FIG. The compartment 55 can be rotated approximately 90 degrees to drain its contents into the collection chamber 1. Then, if it is desired to minimize obstruction to the passage of the fluid discharged through the inlet, the compartment 55 may allow the liquid therein to direct the discharged fluid to the collection chamber 1.
It may be held in this tilted position without allowing flow to occur.

Yet another inlet embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, which instead of rotating the inlet chamber to empty it.
It is similar in design to the embodiment of FIG. 3, except that the inlet section slides in a plane parallel to the plane of the top 4 of the collection chamber 1. The inlet chamber 69 has front and rear walls 70 and 7, respectively.
1, and side walls 72 and 73 having a substantially flat top 74 across these walls (FIG. 7).
formed by. Preferably, at least the front wall 70 is transparent for viewing the contents of the inlet chamber 69, and the rear wall 71 prevents the patient from viewing the contents and makes the contents more visible. It is opaque to provide a background. Sidewalls 72 and 73 may be transparent or opaque. As shown in Figure 8,
The front and rear walls 70 and 71 each have an outwardly projecting flange 7 at their base, respectively.
5 and 76. flanges 75 and 76
are straight and parallel in parallel guide rails 77 mounted to the top of the collection chamber 1.
Each guide rail includes an upright projection 78 with a flange 79 extending inwardly over and above inlet chamber flanges 75 and 76 . Entrance chamber 69
is therefore retained in the collection chamber 1 but is free to slide between the guide rails 77. The top 4 of the collection chamber 1 has an extension 80 projecting above the side wall 2 of the chamber 1 . A guide rail 77 continues from the main top surface 4 onto the overhanging portion 80 . The degree of advancement of the entrance chamber 69 along the guide rail 77 is determined by stops 81 and 82 at each end of the rail, one of the stops 81 being above the overhang 80 and the other 8
2 is on top 4 above the collection compartment. 7th
In the preferred form shown in the Figures and FIG. 8, flanges 75 and 76 connect with flanges on the side walls of the inlet chamber 69 to form a continuous flange around the bottom of the walls of the chamber 69. Similarly, the stops 81 and 82 have inwardly projecting flanges that together with the flange 79 on the guide rail 77 form a continuous flange that can overlap the continuous flange around the chamber 69 .
A seal 83 is placed between the inlet chamber flanges 75 and 76 and the top surface 4 to prevent fluid leakage between the input chamber 69 and the top 4 of the collection chamber 1 . Entrance chamber 6
9 is the front and rear wall 7 as shown in FIG.
It is divided into two interior compartments 84 and 85 by a dividing wall 86 that crosses the chamber 69 between and substantially perpendicular to them. Dividing wall 86 extends upwardly from the bottom of chamber 69 but does not reach the top 74 of the chamber, thereby providing above wall 86 the only means of fluid communication between the two compartments 84 and 85. Leave an air space. With respect to the top 4 of the collection chamber 1, the innermost compartment 85 is divided by a sub-dividing wall 87.
The sub-dividing wall 80 is divided into inlet passages having a generally U-shaped vertical cross-section when viewed from the front as in FIG.
9 protruding downward from the top 74 and dividing wall 86
extends below the top of section 85. Between the subdividing wall 87 and the inner sidewall 73 of the inlet chamber 69 an inlet section 88 and a rubber rim 89 extend through the top 74 of the chamber 69 . The inlet 88 is for the attachment of the inlet tube 90 from the patient, and the rim 89 is used to remove liquid from or supply liquid to the inlet passageway described above with respect to the other inlets. When the inlet chamber 69 is against the innermost guide rail stop 82, the compartment 84 is in the hole 91.
and 92 and pass through the top 4 of the collection chamber 1 and the seal 83, respectively. In this position, neither of the compartments 84 and 85 has a floor, so that the discharged fluid flows through the inlet 8
8 through the inlet passage of compartment 85 and then through compartment 84 and hole 92 into collection chamber 1 . The discharged liquid accumulates in a compartment 85 whose bottom is closed by a seal 83 and whose height is equal to that of the dividing wall 8.
Upon reaching the top of 9, it flows through the hole 92 into the other compartment 84 and below the hole 92 into the first collection compartment 9 (FIG. 1). When it is desired to empty the compartment 85 or to pass the drained liquid directly to the inlet chamber 69 without pooling therein, the inlet chamber 69 is moved along the guide rail until it contacts the external stop 81. It is slid between 77. In this position, the compartment 84 is connected to the overhang 8
0 and its bottom is closed by a seal 83 on the overhang 80, while the compartment 8
5 is moved over the hole 92 and the contents of that compartment are transferred to the collection chamber 1 through that hole. In this way, any obstruction in the inlet passage can be cleared in this way, and as mentioned above, this inlet can be provided with the option of periodic or continuous collection of the expelled liquid. , to sample or indicate air leakage from the patient in the liquid at the inlet in some mode, or periodically or continuously without such liquid to drain the fluid through the inlet. Let it pass.

Although the drainage device of the present invention can be used to evacuate fluid by gravity, as described above, it is highly preferred that suction is used to evacuate fluid, and the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. In embodiments, the device includes a suction line (not shown)
It has an outlet section 93 for connection to. However, the device is configured so that it can operate by gravity evacuation in the event of a suction line failure. The outlet part 93 includes a raised housing 94 located above the top 4 and above the last compartment towards the front 5 of the collection chamber. As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 10, housing 94 locates outlet portion 93 above one-way seal valve 95 at the top of the collection chamber. Valve 95 includes a resilient chamber 96 on the outside of chamber 1 and has an integral plug passing through the top of chamber 1 to retain valve 95 and terminating in an enlarged head 97 inside chamber 1. A cap 96 covers the aperture 98 at the top of the chamber 1 and seals it against backflow of fluid in the direction from the outlet 93 into the chamber 1 . Valve 95 is disposed in internal cavity 99 of outlet housing 94 . The cavity 99 on the valve 95 in turn has a flexible outlet tube 1 for connection to the suction line.
Outlet connector 1 for connection to 01 (Figure 1)
In fluid communication into 00. When suction is applied to the outlet section 93, the edges of the cap 96 are pulled upwardly to expose the perforations 98 and because they and the outlet section 93 communicate through the internal cavity 99.
A suction force can be applied to the interior of the collection chamber 1. The valve 95 provides a slight buffer between the resilient cap 96 and the top of the reservoir housing when the device is used for gravity evacuation.
This produces a positive 1 to 2 cm of positive pressure from the patient, commonly known as "cracking pressure." This is the same as hydraulics.

The amount of suction provided to the collection chamber 1 is best shown in FIG. 10, located in the outlet housing 94. It can be controlled by an adjustable regulator 102. As shown in this figure, the portion of housing 94 containing regulator 102 is raised above the top of chamber 1 to form a gap 103 therebetween. The floor of the housing 94 above this gap has a hole 104. Hole 104 communicating with internal passage 105 of housing 94
communicates with the cavity 99 and thus with the outlet connector 100 and the source of suction. A hole 104 in the floor of the housing 94 communicates between the gap 103 and the passage 105 and is biased by a coil spring 107 contained in a passage 108 in a post 109 extending upwardly from the passage 105 and over the valve 106. It can be closed by a sealing valve 106. Passage 108 receives an adjustment screw 110 in contact with the end of spring 107 spaced from valve 106 . screw 1
10 is adjustable via a nut 111 fixed to the outside and top of the column 109. screw 110
Adjustment of causes the pressure of spring 107 on valve 106 to be increased or decreased. The level of vacuum thus provided to outlet section 93 overcomes this pressure and opens seal 106, thereby opening outlet section 93 to the atmosphere through gap 103 and reducing the suction force to a lower level. level, at which level the pressure of spring 107 overcomes the suction force and closes seal 106. Thus, regulator 102 can be set to open valve 106 at a predetermined vacuum level to ensure that the suction applied to the chamber is not too great. This is a useful feature because many hospital pipe suctions around buildings are available at some point in the wall, with no adjustment capability or adjustment at these terminal points, and the water suction is approximately 80 or more
This is because it can only be adjusted up to 200 and is not precise at the desired level of suction power suitable for chest evacuation. Since this available suction, known as "wall suction," is often undesirably high, e.g., 200 inches or more of water when 10 to 40 inches is the range normally used, the present invention The ability to adjust the equipment becomes invaluable. Furthermore, when valve 106 opens to release the suction force, atmospheric air thereby admitted to outlet section 93 is prevented by valve 95 from entering collection chamber 1 and contaminating the patient. Wall suction in hospitals is variable and can be dangerous if it increases. This type of regulator therefore opens as the wall suction rises and thereby compensates for this sudden fluctuation. It has previously been found that this type of regulator will accommodate at least half of all suction surges. A second one-way sealing valve 112 of the same type as valve 95 is located at the top 113 of internal passageway 105 . Valve 112 includes a resilient cap 114 external to passageway 105 and exposed to the atmosphere outside the device. The cap 114 is connected to the top 113
Passage 1 in the enlarged head 115 passing through
05 with a resilient plug terminating inside the valve 112 to hold the valve 112. Cap 114 has internal passage 105
through the top 113 of the pores 116 and sealing them against atmospheric air flowing back into the passageway 105. If the suction source fails in the closed position, the device can further act as a gravity evacuation system with the collection chamber 1 placed below the patient and the patient is not exposed to any danger. Therefore, valve 112 acts as a fully positive safety valve. Under these circumstances, excess pressure in the collection chamber 1 can be vented to the atmosphere through valves 95 and 112, but these are one-way valves and air will flow in the opposite direction and contaminate the patient. to prevent

An alternative form of outlet 93 is shown in FIG. 11, which accurately measures air leakage from the patient. This inlet is of the same construction as shown in FIG. 10, except that the ball flow meter 117 is placed between the outlet housing 94 and the top 4 of the collection chamber 1. In this way, the fact
The interior cavity 99 of FIG. 10 is elongated to form a ball flow meter. Therefore, valve 95
still passes through the top of collection chamber 1 and is at the bottom of flowmeter 117, and housing 94 is at the top of the flowmeter. Flowmeter 117 is a conventional ball flowmeter and includes a transparent column 118 between outlet housing 94 and top 4 of collection chamber 1 . Post 118 has an inner diameter that includes ball indicator 119. This inner diameter opens at its top into an internal outlet cavity 99 (FIG. 10) and at its bottom:
Perforations 98 in the top 4 of the collection chamber 1 (FIG. 10)
penetrate. The inner diameter is conical, narrower at the bottom than at the top. A scale 120 is provided on the outer surface of the column 118. Air drawn from the patient through the collection chamber 1 passes through the column 118 on its passage via an outlet. Such air flow drives the ball 119 upwardly in the column 118 where the height of the ball can be read from the scale 120 to measure the air flow rate. This rate can be a valuable indicator to medical staff to inform them of the severity and extent of the patient's air leak.

Another type of outlet 93 is shown in FIG. 12 and allows for precise control over the level of suction applied to chamber 1. This outlet comprises a first housing above the one-way sealing valve 95, above the top 4 of the chamber 1 and forming a compartment 122 above the valve 95. The housing 121 is sealed to prevent air from flowing into the compartment 122 from the atmosphere and has an inner sidewall 123, an outer sidewall 12
4. Rear and front walls (not shown) and top 1
Contains 25. The valve 95 and another one-way sealing valve 126 of the same construction are located on the outer wall 1 of the housing 121.
24 and through its wall porous holes 12
Cover 7. Valve 126 performs the same function as valve 12 in FIG.
By opening to the atmosphere outside the compartment,
enable you to be liberated. To protect valve 126, a circular cap 128 surrounds valve 126 on the outside of wall 124. Although the perimeter of the cap 128 is sealed to the wall 124, the cap 128
A central aperture 129 at 7 allows atmospheric air to communicate to the valve 126. The top 125 carries a second housing 130, which
Similarly, the inner side wall 131, the outer side wall 132,
It has a top 133 forming front and rear walls (not shown) and another compartment 134 therein. Compartment 134 communicates with the atmosphere through apertures 131a and 132a in side walls 131 and 132, respectively. A circular diaphragm 135 is the first
is set in the top 125 of the housing 121 and has compartments 122 and 134 on either side.
be exposed to. Diaphragm 135 is flexible and fluid-tight, and is preferably made from neutral rubber or silicone rubber. Stepped retaining ring 1
36 surrounds a diaphragm 135 which includes an internal step of the retaining ring 136 and a flange 137 projecting downwardly from the upper retaining ring 138.
and sealed around its periphery. The peripheral areas of retaining rings 136 and 138 are sealed together and also to housings 121 and 131, thereby completing a fluid-tight seal between compartments 122 and 134. Lower retaining ring 136 has a central aperture 139 that projects through a narrow tip 140 of outlet tube 141 . The tube 141 extends downward and is connected to the elbow 14.
2 through the inner wall 1 of the housing 121
23 so that it can be sealed freely. Housing 121
On the outside, the pipe 141 rotates upwardly through another elbow 143 and terminates in a connector 144 for attaching the outer tube 101 for connection to a suction source (not shown). Diaphragm 13
The upper side of 5 has an integral central socket 145 which connects the central aperture in the upper retaining ring 138 by a shaft 147 terminating at its lower end in a ball-shaped projection 148 which is mounted in the socket 145. You can reach us via 146. The shaft 147 has a similar spherical projection 149 below its upper end;
Below it is a washer 150 on the shaft 147 that is prevented from moving along the shaft 147.
is placed. Washsha 150 is shaft 147
by a similar retaining arrangement attached to the bottom of the adjustment screw 152 which retains the spring 151 coiled therearound and extends upwardly through the section 134 and extends upwardly through the top 133 of the housing 131. It is held at its upper end. A retaining arrangement on the screw 152 projects downwardly therefrom and terminates in a ball-shaped projection 154 of the shaft 15
Contains 3. Above the protrusion 154 is the shaft 15.
Shaft 15 prevented from moving along 3
A washer 155 around 3 holds the upper end of the spring 151. Adjustment screw 152 extends through top 133 and an internally threaded post 156 set in top 133 . The screw 152 is connected to the column 156
It is adjustable via a nut 157 which is fixed to the outside and top of the. The spring 151 is the adjustment screw 15
2 and the diaphragm 135. When suction is applied via pipe 141, the pressure in compartment 134 decreases, valve 95 opens, and suction is applied to chamber 1 to enhance evacuation of fluid from the patient. In addition, diaphragm 135
tends to be drawn downwardly toward the tip 140 of the pipe 141 and moves against the tension set in the spring 151 by the adjusting screw 152, and the tension in the screw 152 increases from the tip 140 of the pipe 141 It attempts to pull the diaphragm 135 upwards away. At a certain suction level, determined by adjustment screw 152, the suction force overcomes the spring force and diaphragm 135 is pulled into contact with and over tip 140 and closes pipe 141, thereby closing the chamber. 1 and limit the level of suction that can be applied to the patient. The suction force on chamber 1 is
is cut off until the suction level in chamber 1 drops for fluid to enter chamber 1 from the patient, and as the suction in chamber 1 drops, the force of spring 151 overcomes the suction force and forces diaphragm 135 into tip 1 of pipe 141.
40 to expose chamber 1 to the suction source again. The area of tip 140 must be small with respect to the area of diaphragm 135, and the diaphragm must be sufficiently resilient so that it does not deflect excessively and become fixed to tip 140 by excessive suction. Such a configuration of the outlet has the advantage that it acts very quickly and completely to limit excessive suction.

For connection in use, the drainage device of the present invention is typically provided with inlet and outlet tubes 28 and 101, respectively, for the collection chamber 1 and mounted as shown in FIG. Inlet tube 28 is for connection to the patient, and outlet tube 101 is for connection to a suction source. To properly avoid mistakes when connecting tubes, tube 28 is marked with the term "patient" at intervals along its length.
may be marked. Similarly, the outlet tube 101 may be labeled with "wall suction" or similar terminology. Additionally or alternatively,
The tubes may be color coded to correlate with instructions involving the device. The tubes are preferably transparent plastic so that their contents can be viewed, but they may also be latex or other suitable flexible rigid material. Near their point of connection to the device, each tube may be provided with an elongated coil spring internally or externally around the tubes to prevent them from kinking.

The drainage device of the present invention utilizes a pressure gauge to directly measure the pressure in the collection chamber 1, and provides valuable information to hospital staff as to what level of suction is actually being applied to the patient. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pressure gauge 158 is located on the top 4 of the collection chamber 1 between the inlet section 11 and the outlet section 93. As shown in FIG. 9, gauge 158 has a base plate 159 with a central hole 160. As shown in FIG. Adjacent to the hole 160 and between the hole and the front face 5 of the collection chamber 1 is a base plate 159.
There is a wall 161 perpendicular to and parallel to the front face 5. A transparent window 162 slopes downwardly between the top of wall 161 and the front edge of base plate 159. Triangular side walls 163 (FIGS. 2 and 9), which may be transparent or opaque, include
As best seen in FIG. 1, along with walls 161, windows 162 and base 159,
Scale 16 marked in an arc on the front of wall 161
4 to form a housing for displaying the measured pressure. A shaft 165 rotatably attached to a hole penetrating the wall 161 at the center point of the arc of the scale 164 is connected to the gauge 1 on the scale 164.
It has a pointer 166 for indicating the reading of 58. The other end of shaft 165 is rotatably attached to a hole passing through upright portion 167 from base 159 on the other side of center hole 160 from wall 161 .
Upright 167 is supported between its top and wall 161 by struts 168 . The shaft 165 has a pinion gear 16 between the wall 161 and the upright portion 167.
9, which meshes with a vertical rack gear 170 (as can be seen in FIG. 9). Rack gear 170 is in the form of a thread and has helical gear teeth to allow for calibration of gauge 158 as described below. The bottom of the rack gear 170 has a ball-shaped projection 171 which projects through a central hole 160 in the base plate 159 and is rotatably secured to an integral socket 172 at the center of a circular diaphragm 173. Diaphragm 173 is flexible and fluid-tight, and is preferably made from neutral rubber or silicone rubber. A stepped retaining ring 174 seals around the periphery of an internal step in the retaining ring 174 and includes:
A downward circular protrusion 17 from the base 159
surrounding a diaphragm 173 that is sealed between the The bottom of the retaining ring 174 has a central hole 176 for communication between the interior of the chamber 1 and the diaphragm 175. An outer wall 177 of the retaining ring 174 is sealed into a hole (not shown) in the top 4 of the collection chamber 1 and a flange 178 projecting outwardly from the top of the wall 177 is fitted onto the outer surface of the top 4 of the collection chamber 1. The overlap provides better retention and sealing of the hole assembly in the top 4. Bottom wall 179 also prevents diaphragm 173 from expanding excessively in the event of momentary high suction from the patient. Since the underside of the base plate 159 is sealed to the top surface of the flange 178 and the diaphragm 173 is liquid impermeable, the gauge 158 is therefore sealingly set onto the top 4 of the collection chamber 1 to remove atmospheric air from the chamber. It will be destroyed.

The upper end of the rack gear 170 is rotatably held in a hole in the support column 167. The top of rack gear 170 has an integral screw mount 180 for configuring gauge 158 by rotating rack gear 170 in ball and socket joints 171/172 at its base. Such rotation causes the rack gear 170 to operate as a worm gear, thereby causing the pinion 16
9 can be adjusted for a given position of diaphragm 173. However, there is sufficient friction between the flexible diaphragm and the gear to maintain the gear in position once set. Therefore, when the chamber 1 is at atmospheric pressure, the screw mount 135 may be rotated to adjust the pointer 166 to zero. Diaphragm 1
It has been found that a small amount of stretching at 73 tends to cause pointer 166 to return to zero, because when stretched up and down, there is always a small percentage of permanent set in the rubber of diaphragm 173. It is from. The residual extension overcomes this and returns gauge 153 to zero, increasing accuracy over the rest of scale 164, since its position is relative. Preferably, diaphragm 173 has some radial extension and is sealed to retaining ring 174 . In use, chamber pressure acts on the diaphragm, with relatively positive pressure causing it to expand upwardly and relatively negative pressure causing it to expand downwardly. A rack gear 170 moves with the diaphragm and this movement is translated via pinion 169 to pointer 166 to accurately indicate the pressure in chamber 1 on scale 164. Scale 164 may be calibrated in the appropriate range of units. Conveniently, the gauge 158 may be marked to read directly in cm of water suction, for example from 0 to 60 cm with a suction interval of 2 cm, since these measuring units are normally used with respect to hospital vacuum sources. This is because Also, the device can be calibrated to indicate pressures of 1 and 2 cm from the patient when used for gravity drainage, as previously described.

The drainage device of the present invention is provided with features that make it easier and safer for hospital staff to handle the device. The top 4 of the collection chamber 1 is fitted with hangers 181 and 182 shown in FIG. 1 for suspending the device, for example from a stand. Each hanger 181 and 182 consists of an elongated section 183 terminating in an open hook 184 for hanging the collection chamber. The other end of each hanger terminates in a closing hook 185 that engages an eyelet 186 passing through a hole 187 therein.
Each eyelet 186 is located towards the back of the top 4 of the chamber 1 and projects upwardly therefrom;
One is behind the entrance 11 and the other is the exit 9
3 and these can be seen more clearly in FIG. Hangers 181 and 182 are made of polypropylene that is strong enough to support the collection chamber 1 when filled with drained liquid, yet flexible enough to allow the tops of each hanger to come together. These open hooks 18
4 interlock with each other and form a carrying handle for the device, as shown in perspective in FIG. The hangers 181 and 182 can also be folded down onto the top 4 of the chamber for storage by stacking one on top of the other. Obviously, the length of the elongated portion 183 of the hanger must be such as to permit the formation of such a handle and to permit stacking of the hanger.

The base 3 of the collection chamber is provided with a recess 189 extending across the depth of the bottom 3 of the chamber 1 and along the main part of its length. Hollow 18
9 to the bottom 3 of the collection chamber when stored;
Leg 190 rotatably mounted at its center point
Compatible with When the chamber is placed on a flat surface, such as the floor, or on a top bed, the legs 190 are raised to a position substantially perpendicular to the front and back walls of the chamber, as shown in FIG. It can be rotated to stabilize the device from flipping over. During transportation or when the device is hanging from the hangers 180, 181,
The leg 190 can be rotated into alignment with the bottom 3 of the chamber 1 and is mounted within the recess 189 without protruding therefrom. To hold the leg 190 in the recess 189, a hole 191 is provided on one side of the longitudinal axis of the leg 190 and its center point.
(FIG. 1) engages a daytent (not shown) located on the base 3 of the chamber 1.